Why is Mumsnet insisting that I log in?

[CrispEater]

I spend quite a lot of time browsing Mumsnet on my Samsung tablet, not logged in. I rarely post anything but if I do, I do that on my PC because I can type quicker on a proper keyboard.
Just now I was in Mumsnet on the tablet and kept getting a pop-up that insists I should either log in or join. As far as I can see, there is no way of getting rid of this pop-up except by logging in or joining or giving up on Mumsnet. It looks very genuine to me.
I really can't be bothered to keep logging in when I only want to browse and I hate being forced into doing something I'd rather not do.
Is there some reason why Mumsnet now wants everyone logged in all the time? Or have I missed something?

I don't want this. I especially do not want to be forced to log in from my work computer, which I will never do. IT does not need my log on details! I'll just leave the site and eventually get so hacked off I don't come back. I'm halfway there anyway given its nearly impossible to engage in reasoned discussion or put forward opposing views on here these days. Its getting more tempting just to look at Reddit.

I also don't want to keep having the sodding popups. They're driving me crazy. I spent half the morning panicking that i had somehow got a virus on my phone that I couldn't work out how to get rid of!

10 views before the prompt = utter bollocks

I saw a comment from Justine (which appears to have disappeared now ), saying that it only takes "1 second" to log in. Bollocks

I could rant a bit more, but perhaps it's best I don't for the moment.

Ah, the "it only takes a second" comment is still there.

But it does NOT only take a second, especially on a small device.

And I agree with all the other PPs comments about various security issues, whether they be personal or work related. But I guess that's something you don't have to bother yourself about, Justine?

You see it all smacks of the 'filter bubble':

"A filter bubble is a result of a personalized search in which a website algorithm selectively guesses what information a user would like to see based on information about the user (such as location, past click behavior and search history and, as a result, users become separated from information that disagrees with their viewpoints, effectively isolating them in their own cultural or ideological bubbles."

For example, Google search does this and in some cases is second guessing you in the search window. You spend more time deleting/clearing their suggestions (presumably based on my search history) and starting a new search because before you can type in what you're actually searching for it's already searching for what it thinks you want. The aim I guess, is to be faster than their competitors but it is simply not helpful. It just a wastes my time.

Is this what you're intending?

Having lurked on and off for a few years I'm really irritated that I now need to join mumsnet in order to read any threads. I have no intention of ever posting I just enjoy reading relevant threads that have helped me with my small children. Being forced to join has definitely put me off reading mumsnet in the future.

@TeaTowelQueen

Oh and it happens EVERY TIME I click through from face book not 'after 10 pages'

Sorry but we're having some trouble replicating this Teatowel. Can we check you are
a) not logged in
and
b) haven't previously visited Mumsnet talk today

Once you've visited 10 pages it'll keep appearing until you log in.

Thanks

I agree with others, it is awful. Bad enough with Google stalking me around the net. It's interesting what Rhubarb says, that you end up only seeing viewpoints that you agree with. Why I like Mumsnet is because the talk section is so diverse, especially active convos. Sometimes, I read something that I wouldn't normally choose to read about, I don't want to be guided towards things that I've shown interest in before . The sections of the site are clear and separate and I think its patronising to assume that you know best what I would like to see. You have to log in to post and that's fair enough but it's not necessary for a quick browse. Sadly no doubt it is purely designed to make money, I dislike the fact that you are dressing it up as a benefit for the casual browser.

I created a new account to log in( as I was suspicious). I never normally post (obsessive lurker only!) but will stop using an if I have to log in every time.

Absolutely agree with the filter bubble content point. I do NOT want this. It does not in any way improve my experience of any site. I stopped using Etsy because they implemented this and kept on insisting I be shown stuff their system thought I wanted, to the extent it was virtually impossible to browse things that I did actually want. Or, you know, maybe broaden my horizons by viewing stuff I may never have thought of before. Just because I once bought somebody else a wooden bee box as a one-off doesn't mean I want to forever see stuff relating to bees! I don't want the Mumsnet equivalent, thanks.

Oh, and the one second log-in thing? Utter rubbish.

MNHQ you are losing me as are you advertisers until you remove this

Please Justine, just because other sites are doing the personalisation thing, it doesn't mean that MN has to jump on the bandwagon. I always thought MN was more of a site that would point out the emperor is naked, rather than just copy the crowd.

just adding that i find this pop up highly annoying. Please can you stop. I also only log in to post and don't feel comfortable with this at all.

MNHQ. Reminder - Your strap line is parents for parents. This does not push this agenda

Grrrr! just had to log in while happily browsing active threads on my phone. I got rid of the app as it was shit so only use Safari on my phone.

Took me 3 attempts to remember my password so that so could sign in and say get rid of this please!

Not being logged in already means I can't view threads I'm on or last 15 minutes which is how I usually roll.

However, when I want a quiet 5 minutes on active threads I don't want to be interrupted with log in bollocks.

Personalisation FFS - we're not stupid! Just call it adverts.

Completely agree with the criticism of this. I would never log on at work so this means I can't browse in my lunch hour.

So pleased to see this thread - this is incredibly annoying. Was browsing with iPad (only use phone to login and comment) this afternoon but couldn't get out of that message to login. I clicked in each corner where I thought a cross could be, but ended up closing the window each time and doing something else instead (probably no bad thing!).

I think the timing is particularly bad, as many of us our probably returning from a mumsnet-free holiday and realising how much time we waste on the site. It wouldn't take an awful lot to rid me of my
MN habit completely!

Well, if I can only read Mumsnet when I am logged in, than the answer is easy. I love reading threads, never post, but if you force me to log in, then I will stop reading. Oh, and saying that it only happens after 10 pages is bullshit. I am seriously pissed off. I will probably try again in a week or so, and if it still the same, then it is goodbye from me.

Please make it stop! I just browse and rarely post and often cant remember my login details and cant be arsed to reset my password in every time.

Please please please please please stop it. it is very rude to insist that you have to log in rather than giving you the option.

Another one who has logged in to complain about this! Firstly, the pop-up looked suspicious as there was no Mumsnet logo and the text about a 'spam-free' experience didn't sound very authentic, especially considering the hacking incident. I was also seeing the pop-up well before ten page views - generally on the second/ third page I was on.

Secondly, like previous posters I like to browse Mumsnet on my phone when I have a few spare minutes, and not having the option to opt out of logging in is really irritating and means I'll spend less time here as a result!

Thirdly, I hadn't thought about the filter/ bubble effect, but I agree that one of the good things about MN is finding out about stuff I'd never normally think about, and I agree that 'personalisation' means you lose out because you're only seeing what Google/ Facebook etc think you want to see.

On the plus side, this could reduce my MN addition and make me more productive

I browse when I am at work. I can't log in on my work laptop as its against the rules. This will mean no more mumsnetting during my lunch hour. I might actually have to leave my desk

Justine, you haven't commented on the suggestion to include a "no thanks" on the pop up?

I'm with the majority. Really annoying. If it carries on and I have to log in each time then I'm off.

Shame.

This is really useful feedback thank you, it's something we're testing so it is important to us to hear your thoughts. Apologies for not responding individually to all but to answer a few points raised.

We definitely don't want to alarm anyone or cause concern about hacking so we'll think more about how we could avoid that with branded and clearer wording.

We haven't included a dismiss / 'no thanks' option in this test though we have in other versions. We're trying different approaches in a series of tests.

We'll release a fix for keeping folk on the thread they were browsing tomorrow morning sorry about that and investigate reports of the popup appearing before the 10 page trigger.

Thanks again

Sorry but I hate it. Don't want to be part of Big Data gathering though I suspect it's been going on anyway unknown to us.

Justine won't respond now, this evening. Guess she's gorn home!

Poor Jessica is the MNHQer who's going to have to deal with this for tonight.

for you Jessica!